Italy’s Meloni says Sinwar death opens ‘new phase’ in Gaza conflict

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks to journalists during a EU - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on October 16, 2024. (AFP/File)
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Updated 17 October 2024
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Italy’s Meloni says Sinwar death opens ‘new phase’ in Gaza conflict

ROME: Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar cleared the way for a “new phase” in the deadly conflict in Gaza.
“With the death of Yahya Sinwar, the person principally responsible for the October 7 attacks no longer exists,” Meloni said in a statement.
“I am convinced that a new phase should be launched: it is time for all the hostages to be released, for a ceasefire to be immediately proclaimed and for the reconstruction of Gaza to begin.”


Canadian police investigate reports of gunfire at US consulate in Toronto

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Canadian police investigate reports of gunfire at US consulate in Toronto

  • Police said they were at the scene near University Avenue and Queen Street West
  • “Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located,” police said in the post

TORONTO: Canadian police are investigating reports that the United States consulate in downtown Toronto was hit by gunfire early on Tuesday morning.
No injuries have been reported.
Toronto police said Tuesday they responded to reports at around 5:30 a.m. that someone shot a gun at the US consulate.
In a post on social media, police said they were at the scene near University Avenue and Queen Street West.
“Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located,” police said in the post.
No suspect information has been released.
“The shooting that took place at the US consulate early this morning is an absolutely unacceptable act of violence and intimidation aimed at our American friends and neighbors,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said in a statement.
“Everyone at all levels of government and across Canada needs to make clear that there is zero tolerance for this sort of intimidating and dangerous behavior.”
The reported shooting comes after two Toronto-area synagogues were struck by gunfire last weekend.
“The US consulate was shot at. This comes after shootings at synagogues,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said. “This cannot stand. Toronto’s Jewish community has the right to practice their faith and culture and to live their day-to-day lives without fear, intimidation or violence. As we have seen too many times, antisemitic incidents spike when international incidents rise. It is never acceptable to target the Jewish community.”
Chow said there is heavy police presence on Tuesday at both the US and Israeli consulates in Toronto.
The war in Iran has prompted large demonstrations outside the US consulate, both in support and in protest.